by Mary Kate Costigan
Is there anything more coveted during travel than free Wi-Fi? The search for it is made much, much easier with WiFi Map. It uses your device’s location settings and map app (whichever one you have defaulted) to find all free Wi-Fi spots in your area. There are many Wi-Fi finding apps on the market, but this one is the best for several reasons.
First, it’s the biggest by far. As such it lists many more hotspots than other apps (current count is approximately 2,000,000) and is present in over 100,000 cities. Chances are that wherever you travel to, you’ll be able to use it.
Second, unlike many other apps, it lists the password for each network. This is particularly valuable if you are traveling in a place where you don’t speak the language and would have trouble asking for passwords. Its data is also more up to date than other WiFi apps; I have encountered some that list old business names rather than the current titles, which could be a nightmare for someone unfamiliar with an area. WiFi Map has a good track record of providing correct information.
There are a few downsides, but they are minor. The app does not allow you to favorite hotspots, as some do, and does not provide directions in-app to your chosen destination. But since it uses your device’s GPS location, it’s very easy to simply switch apps and get exact directions. Also, the offline mode is not available in the free version of the app, and this version only allows you to check the information for hotspots within a 2.5 mile radius of your current location. The Travel version is only $4.99, though, and is absolutely worth the money. Whichever version you get, WiFi Map is a travelling lifesaver.
WiFi Map: for Apple and Android. Basic version is free, Travel version is $4.99.